The Hidden Benefits of Working With A Coach

Today I wanted to talk to you a bit about coaching.  Everyone thinks they know what they will get from a coach.  Mostly people think it's accountability - someone to hold your feet to the fire if you don't do what you said you would.  For some coaches, this is the primary benefit you get - that and a little outside perspective on things. 

Think Outside the Box
But a good coach will take it a step further.  Honestly, I don't do a lot of accountability work.  I will keep track of what you said you wanted to accomplish and see how you're doing on that.  We all need a little help staying on track from time to time (including me).  But what I really feel like I do best for people is to help them think outside of the box and look at both the small and big picture from new perspectives. 

Making More Money
For instance, it's common for people to tell me that they want to make more money.  But often they can't tell me how much more.  In fact, it doesn't matter how much more they want, it's really more what they want to accomplish with it that matters. 

Taking a Vacation
Let's say for the sake of example, that you want to have the money to go on vacation every year to your favorite lake.  And let's say that a week's rental at the lake would cost you $2,000.  In your mind, you need an extra $2000 a year to take that vacation.  And that's what you ask me to help you with.  But when I talk to you about it, I'm trying to solve the problem, not deal with the symptom.  I may say, sure you could make more money this year, or, you could buy a house on the lake and rent it out during the months you're not there.  Then you could pay for the entire cost of the property, be able to take it as a depreciation write-off on your taxes each year and, when you retire, you can move in for two years and then sell it at no capital gains.  Suddenly you have an additional asset that is gaining appreciation, lowering your tax burden, and providing you with your vacation location annually.  And you didn't need to sell even one more house to get your vacation.

Underearning
Or perhaps you are having problems chronically underearning.  Rather than just putting in place new systems to bring in business, I would work with you to determine what the underlying causes of that underearning are.  Because no matter how good your systems are, if you have deep seated issues that are causing you to underearn, then if you make more money, you'll just spend more and still be in debt at the end of the day.  A good coach will look at the underlying cause and not just the symptom. 

Tools and Resources
Another thing that a good coach can provide you with is tools and resources.  I tell my clients that I'm never sure what I'll be giving them for homework because each person is different and each week brings a new situation/issue to deal with.  But having been involved in running my own business and helping others run their own businesses for the last 24 years, I have a lot of resources that I know about that I can offer my clients.  Having also been on a personal growth track for 30 years, I have a wealth of knowledge, tools and resources in that area too.  The best coaches aren't just coaches, they are more of a mentor and guide - they take you where they have already been.  They help you figure out the dynamics of the situation, the tools you need to get you through and then assist you in finding the help you need to get the situation handled.

Sharing The Burden
In the end no one is going to be more committed to your business than you are.  But when you hire a coach, you are working with someone who is now as invested in making you successful as you are.  Let's face it, running a business is tough.  It's a lot of work and it's lonely work too.  Sometimes all you want is for someone to share the burden - to help you carry the load.  The best coaches do this while still keeping you in the driver's seat in your business. 

Definition of a Great Coach
A coach is so much more than a coach.  The best ones are cheerleaders, motivators, butt-kickers, mentors, guides, resource centers, tool boxes, perspective shifters, hardened realists, eternal optimists (no, the two are not mutually exclusive), great listeners, phenomenal teachers, and empowerment specialists.  Why does a great coach have to be all of these things?  Because they are working with entrepreneurs who have to be all things to all people too.  A coach needs to be able to help you in all areas of your life and business - otherwise you'll end up out of balance in the end. 

The Cost of Coaching
When you first look at the price tag on coaching, it's not uncommon to take a deep breath or two.  Coaching is expensive - and it should be.  First, you're paying for the expertise of someone who has gone where you are trying to go.  It may have taken them 5 years to get there and they are going to take you there in 6 months.  That's worth a lot - both in time and in energy.  Second, your payment is your commitment - it is a commitment you make to yourself that you are going to get where you say you are going.  In essence, you're putting your money where your mouth is.  And this is a very important statement to your subconscious mind.  It says you are committed to this path, so it had better provide you with the way to make it happen.

Consider Coaching
Think about it.  Are you making the progress you would like to?  Are you getting where you want to go?  The rule is:  if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.  Yes, you could just experiment until you find the right path.  Eventually, if you don't quit, you'll find the way through.  But wouldn't it be easier if someone could just point the way and then walk with you?

Kelle Sparta is the author of The Consultative Real Estate Agent - Building Relationships that Create Loyal Clients, Get More Referrals, and Increase Your Sales, as well as  being a speaker and trainer and coach specializing in the real estate industry.  Kelle is the founder of Sparta Success Systems, a real estate training company that provides coaching, products, and training to empower agents and brokers to create lives and businesses they can love.  To learn more about hiring Kelle as your coach, visit her website.  For more information, visit her website at http://www.spartasuccess.com/. © 2007, Kelle Sparta.